Nationwide Alert: Ground Beef Recall Due To E. Coli Contamination
A nationwide ground beef recall was issued on April 20 for ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. Coli. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a public…
A nationwide ground beef recall was issued on April 20 for ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. Coli. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a public health alert with more information.
After discovering that Greater Omaha Packing Co. "inadvertently" distributed ground beef that was found to be contaminated with E. coli to retail and food service locations nationwide, the company reported the problem. It was noted that the contaminated ground beef is available for purchase. But, it may still be in consumers’ refrigerators and freezers.
"The problem was discovered by the establishment while conducting an inventory of product that was on hold because it was found positive for E. coli O157:H7," stated the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). They continued, "The company notified FSIS that they inadvertently used a portion of the contaminated beef to produce ground beef products that they subsequently shipped into commerce."
More about the nationwide ground beef recall.
According to the USDA, the contaminated ground beef has a freeze/use-by date of April 28, 2024, a packaging date of "032824," and an establishment number "EST 960A" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
If you believe you may have the contaminated products, images of the label on the contaminated products can be found here. the full list of products, including the description, product label, lot code, and case code can be found on the FSIS website [view labels].
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), E. coli is a bacteria that can cause severe food poisoning, including stomach cramps, diarrhea, and fever. It can be potentially deadly to young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. It’s worth noting that there have been no confirmed reports of illnesses linked to the contaminated ground beef. If you suspect symptoms of E. coli, you should seek immediate medical attention.
The CDC advises that E. coli can be killed by cooking ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F, measured with a thermometer. However, if you have any of the contaminated ground beef, you should not consume it, even if cooked to the proper temperature.
If you have contaminated ground beef at home, you should not eat it. You should dispose of it or report it to the place of purchase for a full refund. For questions or concerns, you can reach out to Gina Adami, a representative of Greater Omaha Packing Co., Inc. at (402)575-4702 or gadami@gmail.com.
Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov.
For consumers who need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.
